The playoff bound Atlanta Falcons host the Carolina Panthers, Sunday Jan 02, as the Falcons look to lockup the NFC Title with a win over Carolina. The Falcons lead the Panthers 3-1 SU in their last four meetings. NFL oddsmakers have the Falcons as -14.5 point home favorites over the Panthers while the game's total has been posted at 41 points. Be sure to get the latest NFL Point Spreads for your NFL Week 17 Predictions on the Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons Betting Odds.

The Panthers (2-13) (0-7 V) lost in Pittsburgh 3-27, in Week 16, and will not make the playoffs. QB Jimmy Clausen made 10 of 23 passes for 72 yards with one interception. RB Jonathan Stewart had 18 carries for 71 yards, while WR Mike Goodson made two catches for 23 yards. Their defense got three sacks and no interceptions. Following Thursday's, linebacker Jon Beason talked about his desire to go out on a winning note – without any shortcuts. In a season where the Panthers should be willing to take victories any way they can get them, Beason wants a shot at one more win that would be viewed as legitimate. "The thing you hope for is maybe (Atlanta) can lose, which they did, this week and maybe they'll have to play their starters Week 17," Beason said. "You want to go out and compete against the best. It's always tough when you know a team is going to rest their guys." In a season filled with disappointments, the Carolina Panthers received a consolation prize Sunday, when a pair of unlikely outcomes guaranteed the Panthers the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL draft. The Panthers offense is ranked worst in the NFL (256ypg) with the NFL’s worst ranked pass game (142ypg) and a 14th ranked running game (113ypg). David Gettis leads the Panthers offense with three TD’s. They score the least amount of points per-game in the NFL (12.4ppg). The Panthers face the Falcons 17th ranked defense (335ypg), their 23rd ranked pass rush (231ypg) and their 13th ranked rush defense (103ypg). The Falcons defense allows the fifth least amount of points per-game (18.5ppg). Brent Grimes has five interceptions for the Falcons.

The Falcons (12-3) (6-1 H) lost to New Orleans 14-17, at home, but can still be the NFC's No. 1 seed, all they have to do is beat the Panthers. QB Matt Ryan made 15 of 29 passes for 148 yards with one TD and no interceptions. RB Michael Turner had 17 carries for 48 yards, while WR Roddy White made three catches for 43 yards with a TD.WR Michael Jenkins made five catches for 40 yards. Their defense managed one sack and two interceptions, with one returned for a TD. The Falcons did not want to lose this game, especially since there's a real possibility these teams will meet again in the playoffs. The Falcons didn't play their typically clean game, Atlanta's streak of seven straight games without a fumble was broken and RB Michael Turner fumbled for the first time all season. "We don't want to feel this way the rest of the season," Ryan said. "We're going to work hard to make sure we don't." They won’t have to work too hard against the worst team in the league. The Falcons are ranked 15th on offense (340ypg) with a 15th ranked pass game (220ypg) and the 11th best ranked running game (119ypg). RB Michael Turner leads their offense with 11 TD’s. The Falcons score the fifth most points per-game (25.5ppg). The Falcons battle the Panthers 16th ranked defense (334ypg), their 11th ranked pass rush (209ypg) and their 23rd ranked rush defense (125ypg). Charles Godfrey leads the Panthers defense with five interceptions. The Panthers defense allows the 24th most amount of points per-game (25.1ppg).

Recent Trends to Consider:

Carolina is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games

Atlanta is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing Carolina

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing at home against Carolina

Atlanta is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Carolina

Atlanta is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Carolina

Atlanta is 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Carolina